Substituted benzoic acid hypolipemic agents

ABSTRACT

Polysubstituted benzoic acids, and their use in mammals as hypolipemic agents.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,882,230

Holland May 6, 1975 i 1 SUBSTITUTED BENZOIC ACID [58] Field of Search 424/317 HYPOLXPEMIC AGENTS [75] Inventor: Gerald Fagan Holland. Old Lyme. [56] References Cited Conn UNITED STATES PATENTS 1594.478 7/197] Brandstrum el al, l, 260/3305 [73] Asslgnee Pfizer York N 3129.508 4mm Zzeglerel ul H 260/470 [22] Filed: May 3, 1974 Priman- Examiner-ler0me D. Goldberg 21 A I. N 466,776 l 1 PP O Aztorney. Agent, or Firm-C0nn0lly and Hutz Related US. Application Data {62] Division of Ser. No, 304,528, Nov, 7, l972 which is [57] ABSTRACT a division of Ser, No. [55,209, June 21, [97],

US. Cl. 424/317 Int. Cl A6lk 27/00 Polysubstituted benzoic acids, and their use in mam mals as hypolipemic agents.

3 Claims, N0 Drawings SUBSTITUTED BENZOIC ACID HYPOLIPEMIC AGENTS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of application Ser. No. 304,528 filed Nov. 7, 1972, which, in turn, is a division of application Ser. No. 155,209 filed June 21, l97l.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Atherosclerosis, a form of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by deposition of lipids in the aorta and in the coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries of the lower extremities. As these masses increase in size, the risk of thrombosis and the ensuing occlusion arises,

Although the etiology of this disease is not fully understood, it has been found that those afflicted with atherosclerosis exhibit elevated levels of plasma lipoprotein, of which cholesterol and triglycerides are the major constituents. In addition to the recommendation that dietary habits leading to lower Blipoprotein levels be observed. various therapeutic agents such as estrogens, thyroxine analogs. sitosterol preparations and, more recently, Atromid-S (ethyl p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate) have been used to lower cholesterol levels in individuals prone to the condition.

lt has now been found that benzoic acids, and more particularly a series of polysubstituted benzoic acids are effective in reducing plasma lipid levels and can be expected to be useful in the treatment of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular diseases associated with elevated lipid levels.

Benzoic acid derivatives have been known in the chemical literature for some time and have been reported to possess varied utilities, the most common of which is as intermediates leading to more complicated and diverse chemical structure, For example, Sphenacylthiosalicylic acids are reported, Netherlands Specification 6,607,608, to be useful in the synthesis of benzothiophenes reported to be valuable because of their analgetic, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, antitus sive, local anesthetic, antispasmodic, and antihistaminic activity.

Benzoic acid derivatives are utilized in the synthesis of tricyclic dibenzlb,e]oxepines (Collect, Czech. Chem. Commun, 32, 3448, l967; CA, 68, 29677r. [968) and dibcnzo{b,f]thiepins (Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun, 33, i852, 1968', C.A,, 69, 86950u, 1968), useful as neurotropic and psychotropic agents.

Ouinuclidinyl esters, claimed in US. Pat. No. 3,405,134 as central nervous stimulants, utilizes mbenzyloxybenzoic acid in the preparation of final products.

Baker, et al., J, Med. Chem. [0, H29 l I967), has recently shown that certain phenacyloxy and acetonyloxy derivatives of benzoic acid are inhibitors of a-chymotrypsin.

Recently, m-fluorobenzoic acid has been prepared, Belgium Pat, No, 724,121, to possess analgesic, antipyretic and hypolipemic activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The hypolipemic agents of this invention are represented by the formulae:

COZH X CO h X 02H 11 III and the pharmaceuticully acceptable basic salts thereof, where:

X is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, methoxy and trifluoromethyl;

R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, benzyl, substituted bcnzyl where said substituent is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine,

methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and 3,4-dimethoxy and acylmethyl of the formula where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and phenyl and substituted phenyl where said substituent is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl and methoxy;

R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, allyl, methallyl, crotyl and acylmethyl of the formula RCCH 9 RCCHZ- where R is alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and where X is trifluoromethyl and R is methyl or benzyl.

A second group of prepared compounds are those of formula ll where X is trifluoromethyl, n is O and R is allyl, methallyl. or phenacyl, and where X is chlorine, n is 0 and R is 2hydroxyethyl or phenacyl.

Also considered within the purview of this invention substituent by the requisite alcohol, R OH. or merare compounds of formula I Where R is phenyl and capto R SH. Further, it is frequently advantageous to phenyl substituted by simple substituents usually found employ, instead ofthe trifluoromethyl substituted haloon aromatic rings, i.e.. alkyl, halo. alkoxy, etc. benzoic acid, the corresponding trifluoromethyl substi- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 5 tuted halobenzonitril e. which after the reaction is complete. can be suitably hydrolyzed to the benzoic in accordance with the process employed for syntheacid. sizing substituted benzoic acids of formulae l and II. The above-described reaction is generally carried out wherein X is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl and by contacting the appropriate trifluoromethylmethoxy, n is 0 and R and R are as previously indii0 halobenzoic acid or nitrile with at least an equimolar cated, the following scheme, where Halis a suitable amount of the requisite alcohol or mercaptan, plus as halogen, is illustrative: much as a l0-50 percent excess, in an aprotic solvent x coat 1 00 a Q R -Hal X C0 E X CO H SH SR Both the above illustrated reactions are conducted such as dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide or under similar conditions well known to those skilled in hexamethylphosphoramide and employing from 1 to 2 the art and comprises heating a basic salt of the phenol molar equivalents of a base such as sodium rrtethoxide OI thiophenol With at kZdSt 211'] equimolar amount Of thfi odium Such reaction is generally conapp p iate halide. i 0r Z- L in l'eactiml- 3O ducted at elevated temperatures of from 60l50 C.

inert solvent. for 2-l0 hours. The desired product is isolated by dilu- Convenience {ha basic 0f the Phfiflol Or thin' tion of the reaction mixture with water followed by adphenol, the preferred salt being sodium, is generated in jusimem f the pH to 3 i h h d hl i id Sim li l one or more of the bases Sodium In those instances wherein the nitrile is employed, the dride, sodium methoxide, sodium hydroxide or sodium 5 benzoic acid is Obtained b subsequent h d l i f carbonate. At least one equivalent of said base is used, the product employing aqufious h ii di h with much as 100 PQYCQnt eXCeSS- droxide at steam bath temperatures and reaction times The solvent can vary considerably in nature and can of i2 i0 24 hours comprise one or more of those selected from dimethyl- Those trifluommethyl benzoic acid congeners sulfoxide, dimethylformamide, hexamethylphosphora- 40 midc. acetone, ethanol, methanol and water.

ln practice, a solution or suspension of the requisite phenol or thiophenol in a reaction-inert solvent is treated with one or more of the aforementioned bases followed by the addition of the appropriate halide, R Hal or R Hal. In general, it is advantageous to conduct the reaction at elevated temperatures, the prewherein the hydroxy or mercapto are situated meta to the trifluoromethyl substituent can be alkylated directly by the aforedescribed procedure.

The requisite hydroxybenzoic acids employed as the starting materials leading to compounds of formula l are either available as commercial reagents or are well known in the chemical literature to those skilled in the ferred range being from 75l50 C. Reaction time is not critical and is dependent on temperature, concen- The Corresponding mercaptobfinloic acids used as tration and reactivity of the starting reagents. Times of the rting Compounds for the preparation of those l-l2 hours have generally been adequate to id congeners related to formula" are either commercially the desired products in good to moderate ields. available or can be synthesized either from the corre- A convenient method for isolation of the product p nding hydroxybenzoic acid employing the method comprises dilution of the cooled reaction mixture with of Newman, et al., J. Org. Chem. 3], 3980 (1966), water followed by acidification with 6N hydrochloric which teaches the acylation of a phenol with dimethylacid. The resulting precipitate is then filtered, dried thiocarbamyl chloride, thermal rearrangement to the and recrystallized from a suitable solvent. S-aryl dimethylthiocarbamate and subsequent hydroly- Starting phenols and thiophenols wherein X is trifluosis to the thiophenol; or from the corresponding aminoromethyl and the hydroxyl or mercapto group to be al benzoic acid using the procedure of Tarbell. et 211., Or kylated are ortho or para to said trifluoromethyl moiety 69 ganic Synthesis," Coll. Vol. Ill. John Wiley & Sons, represent a special case since said phenol or thiophen- I N Y k, N Y k 1955 page 809 hi h ols cannot be alkylated under the aforedescribed basic tea h th a ti fa di i lt ith potassium reaction conditions. Compounds of the present invenh l thm f ll wed by hydrolysis of the intermedition related to l and ll wherein X is trifluoromethyl and m to h ihiophenoi R,O or R-;S are ortho or para to said trifluoro- The appropriate trifluoromethyl halobenzoic acid Subsliwcm p y displacement of an and benzonitriles are compounds fully disclosed in the aromatic halogen ortho or para to the trifiuoromethyl h i literature,

Regarding the alkylating reagents employed in the process leading to Compounds of the present invention, allyl, crotyl, methallyl and certain phenacyl and benzyl halides are commercially available. Those benzyl halides not available as commercial chemicals can easily be prepared by those skilled in the art according to the methods as taught by Fuson and McKeever, Organic Reactions Vol. 1, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, New York, 1954, Chapter 3; and Wagner and Zook, Synthetic Organic Chemistry," John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1956, Chapter 4. Phenacyl halides and a-halomethyl alkyl ketones are synthesized according to the methods as outlined by Wagner & Zook, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1956, Chapter 4.

The requisite benzyl alcohols are either commercial chemicals or are prepared by a lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the corresponding alkyl benzoate according to the methods outlined by Brown, Organic Reactions," Vol. 6, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York, New York, 1951, Chapter 10. The requisite acylcarbinols,

RLLH OH are prepared via hydrolysis of the corresponding acylmethyl halides according to the procedure of Straus, Ann., 393, 331 (1912), while the corresponding mercaptomethyl ketones,

9 RCCH SH,

are synthesized from the appropriate acylmethyl halides according to the methods reported by Reid, Organic Chemistry of Bivalent Sulphur, Vol. I, Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., 1958, Chapter 4, page 390.

The sulfoxides and sulfones of formula I], wherein n l or 2, are synthesized by oxidation, employing standard oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or potassium permanganate.

The structurally novel hypolipemic compounds of the present invention comprise those of formula 1 and their pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and trifluoromethyl and R is selected from the group consisting of benzyl and substituted benzyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, methyl, methoxy, trifluoromethyl and 3,4-dimethoxy and acylmethyl of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, methyl, methoxy and trifluoromethyl.

Also structurally novel are hypolipemic agents of the present invention represented by formula II and their pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts, wherein Y is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, bromine and trifluoromethyl; R is selected from the group consisting of allyl, methallyl, crotyl and acylmethyl of the formula R CH wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and phenyl and substituted phenyl wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, methyl, trifluoromethyl and methoxy; and n is an integer from 0 to 2.

Compounds of the present invention of formula III and their pharmaceutically acceptable basic salts are all either commercially available or described in the chemical literature and are synthesized according to known standard procedures, for example, those outlined and reported by Moffett, et al., J. Med. Chem, 11, 1020 (1968), Karler, et al., Arch. Intern. Phar macodyn., 173, 270 (1968), Hansch, et al., Biochem. PharmacoL, 19, 2193 (1970), Muir, et al., Plant PhysioL, 26, 369 (I951), Zimmerman, et al., Contr. Boyce Thompson Inst., 12, 321 1942) and in Dictionary of Organic Compounds," Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y., 1965, Volumes 1-5.

As has been previously noted, a characteristic feature of the acidic compounds of the instant invention is their ability to form basic salts. Acid congeners of the present invention are converted to basic salts by the interaction of said acid with an appropriate base in an aqueous or non-aqueous medium. Said basic reagents suitably employed in the preparation of said salts can vary in nature, and are meant to contemplate such bases as organic amines, ammonia, alkali metal hydroxides, car bonates, bicarbonates, hydrides and alkoxides, as well as alkali earth metal hydroxides, hydrides, alkoxides and carbonates. Representative of such bases are ammonia, primary amines such as n-propylamine, nbutylamine, aniline, cyclohexylamine, benzylamine, ptoluidine, ethylamine, octylamine, tertiary amines such as diethylaniline, N-methylpyrrolidine, N- methylmorpholine and l,5-diazabicyclo-[ 4,3,0]- nonene', sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium hydroxide, sodium ethoxide, potassium methoxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium hydride and barium hydroxide.

in the utilization of the chemotherapeutic activity of those compounds of the present invention which form basic salts, it is preferred, of course, to use pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Although water-insolubility, high toxicity, or lack of crystalline nature may make some salt species unsuitable or less desirable for use as such in a given pharmaceutical application, the water insoluble or toxic salts can be converted to the corresponding acids by decomposition of the salts as described above, or alternately they can be converted to any desired pharmaceutically acceptable basic salt. The said pharmaceutically acceptable salts preferred are those wherein the cation is ammonium, sodium or potassium.

As previously indicated, the benzoic acids of the present invention are all readily adapted to therapeutic use as hypolipemic agents in mammals. Outstanding for their effectiveness in this regard include the following agents: 2-benzyloxy-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, 2-ben2yloxy-5-chlorobenzoic acid, 2-( 3 ,4-

dimethoxybenzyloxy )--chlorobenzoic acid, 2 acetonyloxy-5-chlorobcnzoic acid, Z-methoxy-S-tri fluoromethylbenzoic acid, 3-methoxy-5trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, Z-allylthio-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, Z-methallylthio-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, lphenacylthio-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid, 2-(2- hydroxyethylthio)-5-chlorobenzoic acid and Z-phenacylthio-5-chlorobenzoic acid.

The products of the invention are tested in vivo for hypolipemic activity in ratsv Groups, each comprising 4 animals, of normal Sprague-Dawley {Charles River) male rats weighing from 160 to 220 grams are fed rat chow containing the compound under test for two overnight feeding periods. On the morning of the third day the animals are anesthetized and bled from the abdominal aorta. The total plasma cholesterol is then determined by the method of .l. J. Carr and l. J. Drekter, reported in Clin. Chem., 2, 353 (1956). Most of the tests are conducted at a feed concentration of U. l 5 to (1.25 weight per cent of the compound under test, but lower levels, 0.0] to 0.l0 weight per cent, are em ployed in some instances where particularly high potency is anticipated. The plasma cholesterol level of the treated animals is found to be significantly reduced when compared to animals not receiving the test compound.

This pharmacological test for measuring hypocholestermic activity is a reliable indication that similar activity in humans can be expected because those compounds effective in the rat which have been tested in humans have demonstrated similar activity. p Chlorophenoxyisobutyric acid, ethyl ester, marketed as Atromid-S. a well-known and clinically effective hypocholesteremic agent, causes a -35 percent cholesterol fall in the rat test when administered at a level of 0.25 percent in the feed.

Although the use of the present invention is directed toward the treatment of mammals in general, the preferred subject is humans. In determining an efficacious dose for human therapy, results of animal testing are frequently extrapolated and a correlation is assumed between animal test behavior and proposed human dosage. When a commercially employed standard is available, the dose level of the clinical candidate in humans is frequently determined by comparison of its performance with the standard in an animal test. For example, Atromid-S is employed as a standard bypolipemic agent and is administered to humans at the rate of 2.0 g, daily in individual doses. It is assumed, then, that if compounds of the present invention have activity comparable to Atromid-S in the test assay, that similar doses will provide comparable responses in humans.

Obviously, the physician will ultimately determine the dosage which will be most suitable for a particular individual, and it will vary with the age, weight and re sponse of the particular patient as well as with the na ture and extent of the symptoms and the pharmacodynamic characteristics of the particular agent to be administered. Generally, small doses will be administered initially, with a gradual increase in the dosage until the optimum level is determined. It will often be found that when the composition is administered orally, larger quantities of the active ingredient will be required to produce the same level as produced by a small quantity administered parenterally.

Having full regard for the foregoing factors it is considered that an effective daily dosage of the compounds of the present invention in humans will generally range from 0.3 to 5 gv per day in single or divided doses. These values are illustrative, and there may, of course, be individual cases where higher or lower dose ranges are merited.

The benzoic acids of this invention can be administered either alone, or, preferably, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. They may be combined with various pharmaceutically acceptable, inert carriers in the form of tablets, capsules, troches. powders, aqueous suspensions or solutions, elixirs, syrups and the like. Suitable carriers include solid diluents or aqueous media and non-toxic organic solvents. The oral pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be suitably sweetened and flavored by means of various agents commonly employed for such a purpose.

For parenteral administration, solutions or suspensions of the herein described benzoic acids in sesame or peanut oil or in aqueous propylene glycol solutions can be employed, as well as sterile aqueous solutions of the corresponding water-soluble salts. Such solutions are suitable for intramuscular and subcutaneous administration. Sterile aqueous solutions are additionally useful for intravenous injection, provided that their pH is suitably adjusted and buffered, if necessary, and the liquid diluent rendered isotonic with saline or glucose.

The herein disclosed compounds may also be useful in other aspects of abnormal metabolism, the latter possibly accounting for clinical problems in diabetes, pancreatitis, coronary heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. Hence the ability of polysubstitutedbenzoic acids of this invention to regulate lipid metabolism might find utility in the treatment of said disease.

Also considered within the scope of the present invention are compounds related to formula III wherein R is amino or amino derivative, e.g., monoand disubstituted amine, urea or acylamine; and X is as previously indicated.

The following examples are provided solely for the purpose of illustration and are not to be construed as limitations of this invention, many variations of which are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

EXAMPLE l 3-Benzyloxy-S-chlorobenzoic Acid To a solution of 173 mg. (l m mole) of 3-hydro-5- chlorebenzoic acid in 2 ml. of dimethylformamide is added mg. (2 moles) of 56.6 percent sodium hydride in an oil suspension. After l0 minutes, the result ing suspension is treated with 130 mg. (l m mole) of benzyl chloride and the mixture heated to C for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is then cooled, diluted with 5 ml, of water, and extracted with ether. The aqueous phase is separated, acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid and the product extracted with ether. The ether solvent is removed in vacuo and the residual product triturated with water and filtered. The dried product is sublimed at C. and 0.02 mm of pressure to provide 50 mg. of the desired product. mp l27l29 C.

Anal. Calcd. for C H O Cl: C, 64.00; H, 4.22

Found: C, (14.05; H, 4.3L

EXAMPLE 2 2-( 3.4-Dimethoxyhen7yloxy )5-chlorohen2oic Acid To a suspension resulting from 5. l5 g. (0.03 mole) of S-chlorosalicylic acid and 2.5 g. (0.006 mole] of st dium hydride (56.6 percent oil dispersion) in 50 ml. of dimethylformamide is added 1 l g. (0.065 mole} of 3.4 dimethoxybenzyl chloride and the mixture heated to ll()7 C for 40 minutes. The reaction mixture is cooled. diluted with l50 ml. of water and extracted with ether. The ether layer is washed with 1N sodium hydroxide solution. water and finally evaporated to dryness. The residual product. 3.4-dimethoxybenzyl Z-( 3.4dimethoxyhenzyloxy )-5-chlorosalicylatc is triturated with isopropanol. 7.5 g. mp. 7083 C. A small sample is recrystallized from isopropanol. m.p. 909 1 5 C.

Anal (tried for C H O CI. (I 63.49; H. 5.33. Found (163.841 H. 5.43.

The above intermediate. 7.5 g. 15.8 m moles) in 50 ml. of acetone is treated with 50 ml. of lN aqueous sosure. The aqueous solution is extracted with ether and finally acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid. The resulting precipitate is filtered and dried. 4.8 g., m.p. l0l- 105 C. The desired product is purified by recrystallization from methanol containing a small amount of methylene chloride. nip. 1 l0-l 12 C.

Anal. Calcd. for C ;H lI (I 59.54; H. 4.68, Found: C. 59.60; H. 4.86.

EXAMPLE 3 2-Benzyloxy-S-trifluoromethylhenzoic Acid To a solution of [0.8 g. (().l mole) of henzyl alcohol in 50 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide is added 4.2 g. (0.l mole) of a 56.6 percent suspension of sodium hydride in oil, and the mixture stirred until the evolution of hy drogen ceases. 4-Chloro-3-cyanohenzotrifluoride [8.6 g.; 0.09 mole) is added and the resulting mixture heated 34 temperatures. The reaction is cooled. diluted with 200 ml. of water and the resulting precipitate filtered and dried. The intermediate. 4-bcnzyloxy-3 cyanobenzotrifluoride, is recrystallized from isopropa n01. 10.8 g., m.pv 6970.5 C.

To 10 ml. of ethanol containing 4 ml. of 5N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is added 600 mg. of the above intermediate and the resulting solution heated to 90 C. overnight. The reaction mixture is cooled. extracted with ether. and the aqueous layer acidified with 12N hydrochloric acid. The precipitate which forms is filtered. washed with water and dried. 570 mg. 92-94 C. A small sample is recrystallized for analysis from ether-hexane, mp 94.596 C.

Ana]. Calcd for H O Fm C. 608i; H. 3.74. Found: C. 60.64; H. 3.8].

EXAMPLE 5 3 Benzyloxy-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid To a solution resulting from 206 mg. l m mole) of 3-hydroxy-S-trifluoromethylhcnzoic acid* and mg. (2 m moles) ot'a 56.6 percent oil suspension of sodium hydride in 2 ml. ofdimethylsulfoxide is added 127 mg. l m mole) ofbenzyl chloride and the reaction mixture heated to C. for l2 hours. The mixture is cooled to room temperature. diluted with 10 ml. of water and extracted with ether. The aqueous phase is separated and acidified with 6N hydrochloric acid. The precipitated product is filtered. dried and suhlimed at C. and 0.05 mm pressure. nip. 143l45 C.

Anal. ('aletl for -,H O E (I 60.81. H. 74 Found C. 60.30. H. 3 70 *Hauptschein. et al J Am. ('hem. Soc 76, I053 l I954).

EXAMPLE 6 Starting with the requisite reagents, and employing the procedures of Example 4 or Example 5, the following henzoic acids are prepared:

Z-Benzyloxy-S-methoxybenzoic Acid A solution of 5.0 g. (0.03 mole) of 2-hydroxy-5- methoxybenzoic acid in 50 ml. of dimethylformamide is treated with 2.5 g. (0.06 mole) of sodium hydride in a 56.6 percent oil suspension, followed by the addition of 7.6 g. (0.06 mole) of benzyl chloride. The resulting mixture is heated at 98l03 C. for 1 hour, after which the insolubles are filtered, the filtrate diluted with l ml. of water and the aqueous solution extracted with ether. The aqueous phase is discarded and the ether phase dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to pro vide the intermediate, benzyl Z-benzyloxy-S- methoxybenzoate, as an oil, 5.0 g.

The intermediate ester is dissolved in 35 ml. of ethanol containing 30 ml. of 1N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and the resulting solution heated for 50 minutes on a steam bath. The ethanol is removed in vacuo and the mixture diluted with ml. of water and extracted with ether. The water phase is acidified with lZN hydrochloric acid and the product extracted into ether. The ether is evaporated and the residual crude product is chromatographed over 40 g. of Silica Gel packed in ethyl acetate. The desired product is eluted with l00 ml. of ethyl acetate, 29 g., m.p. 8892 C. and is finally recrystallized from methylene chlorideether. l6 g, mp. 9394.5 C.

Anal. Czilcd. for C H O L. (19.75; H. 5.46. Found: (169.65; H. 5.59.

EXAMPLE 8 Employing the procedure oi Example 7 and starting with the appropriate chemical reagents, the following analogs are synthesized:

Anal. Calcd. for C ..H,,O,Cl: C. 52.5

Found: C. 52.84".

EXAMPLE l0 In a similar manner. employing the requisite starting materials and following the procedure of Example l l, the following compounds are prepared:

EXAMPLE ll 3-Phenacyloxy5-tritlnoromethylbenzoic Acid To 206 mg. l l m mole) of 3-hydrosy5trilluoromethylhenzoie acid dissolved in 2.5 ml. of dimethylsulfoxide is added 85 mg. (2 m moles! oi'a 56.6 percent sodium h dridc suspension in oil. When the hydrogen evolution has ceased. 199 mg. (l m mole) of cz-hromoacctophenone is added and the reaction mire ture is allowed to stir at room temperature for 2 hours. The reaction is diluted with 10 ml. of water and extracted with ether. The aqueous phase is acidified and the product extracted with ether. Removal of the ether under reduced pressure followed by sublimation at 150 C. and 0.1 mm pressure provided the pure product. mp l80 l82 C.

Anal Calcd for H Q l- C. 59.26; H. 3.42. l'ound: C. 59.26; H. 3.60.

EXAMPLE 12 The procedure of Example 1] is repeated. starting with the appropriate hydroxybenzoic acid and phenacyl halide to provide the following compounds: 2-

phenacyioxy-S-fluorobenzoic acid. 2-( 4 fluorophenacyloxy)-5-fluorobenzoic acid. 2-( 2' chlorophenacyloxy)-5-fluorobenzoic acid. 3-( 4'- methylphenacyloxy )-5-fluorobenzoic acid. 4-( 4'- methylphenacyloxy )-5-chlorobenzoic acid. 3-( 4 methoxyphenacyloxy )-5-chlorobenzoic acid. 3-( 4 methoxyphenacyloxy )-5chlorobenzoic acid. 3-( 4 fluorophenacyloxy lfi-bromohenzoic acid. 2- phenacyloxy-S-bromobenzoic acid. 3-( 2 methylphenacyloxy l-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid.

3-( 4'methoxyphenacyl0xy )-S-trifluoromethylbenzoie acid. 3-( 3'-trifluoromethylphenacyloxy l-5-tri fluoromethylbenzoic acid. 4-( 4'-fluorophenacyloxy )-5- methylbenzoic acid. 6-( 3 '-methoxyphenacyloxyl-5- methylbcnzoic acid. 4-(2'-methoxyphenacyloxy1-5- methylbenzoic acid. 2-(4'-fluorophenacyloxy)-5- mcthoxybenzoic acid. 3-( 3 '-chlorophenacyloxy )-5- methoxybenzoic acid. 6-(4'-methoxyphenacyloxy)-5- methoxybenzoic acid. 2-( 3 trifluoromethylphenacyloxyl-S-methoxybenzoic acid and 3-phenacyloxyfi-methoxybenzoic acid.

EXAMPLE l3 2-Methylthio-S-trit'luoromethylbenzoic Acid lnto 75 ml. otdimethylformamide containing ml. of 5N sodium hydroxide solution is bubbled methyl mercaptan until a weight increase of 6.3 g. per cent excess) is noted. followed by the addition of 20.5 g. [0.01 mole) of Lchloro-lcyanobenzotrifluoridc. At'ter allowing the reaction mixture to stir at room temperature for 2 hours. the precipitated solid is filtered and the filtrate diluted with 500 ml. of water and extracted with ether. The ether layer is separated. dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to a semi-solid which on trituration with hexane provides the desired intermediate. 4-methylthio-3-cyanohenzotrit'luoride. as a crystalline solid. l5 g. mp. (i872 C.

Thirteen grams of the above intermediate in 150 ml. of ethanol containing 200 ml. of 20 percent aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is heated at 90 C. for l8 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and acidified with [ZN hydrochloric acid. and the resulting precipi tate filtered and dried. 14.2 g. m.p. 198200 C. A small sample is sublimed at lZ5-l 35 C. and 0.02 mm pressure. mp. l98.5200 C.

Anal. Calcd for (I HJI SH. C. 45.76. H. 2.9). Found. C. 46.09. H. 3.10.

In a similar manner are prepared: 2-(2- hydroxyethylthio)-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid. mp. l53l54 C.; 2-crotylthio-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid. m.p. l39l4l C.'. Z-methallylthio-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid. m.p. l50l52 C. and Z-allylthio-S- trifluoromethylbenzoic acid. m.p. l78l90 C.

EXAMPLE l4 3-Methylthio-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid Anal. Calcd. for c H o sF i C. 45.76; H. 2.99. Found: C. 45.85; H. 3.02.

EXAMPLE 15 Following the procedure of Example l3 or Example 14. and starting with the requisite chemical reagents, the following congeners are synthesized;

EXAMPLE l 6 3 Mcthylthio-5-chlorobenzoic Acid In a manner similar to procedure of Example 14. 3-mercapto5-chlorobenzoic acid is contacted with methyl iodide in methanol containing potassium hydroxide as the base to yield the desired product in percent yield. mp. l48-l50 C Anal Called. for C H O SCl: 47.4[1 H. 3.48. Found. (Y. 4755; H. 3.56.

EXAMPLE l7 Again. the procedure of Example 14 is employed, starting with the appropriate starting reagents to provide the following analogs:

EXAMPLE l8 2-Phenacylthio-S-trilluoromethylbenzoic Acid A suspension of 14 g. (0.06 mole) of methyl 2-chloro-5-trifluorobenzoate, 9.0 g. (0.06 mole] of a-mercaptoacetophenone and 4.2 g. (0.03 mole) of potassium carbonate in 45 ml. of dimethylformamide is allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 hours after which 200 ml. of ether is added and the resulting mixture extracted with water. The ether layer is separated. dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to an oil, which crystallizes on treatment with isopropyl ether. l .6 g.. m.p. l28.5l 30 C. The analytical sample of the intermediate. methyl Z-phenacylthio-5'trifluoromethylbenzoate, is purified by sublimation at 120 C. and 0.01 mm pressure, m.p. l27-l29 C.

The desired acid is prepared from the crude ester through mild base hydrolysis.

EXAMPLE [9 3-Phcnacylthio-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid A mixture of l .33 g. (6 m moles] of3-mcrcapto5trifluoromethylhcnzoic acid, 12 ml. of l N sodium hydrox- Anal. Caled. for C H O Sli C. 56.47; H

32h. Found: Cv 56.84. H. 2.88.

EXAMPLE 20 Employing the procedure of Example l8 or Example l9, and starting with the appropriate reagents. the following benzoic acid derivatives are prepared:

l- R Position of 2 Substituent -SR2 Procedure CK ECH 3 Example 19 C H CH 3 Example 19 (CH Cl-lgCl-l 4 Example 18 3 C ll CH 4 Example 18 q r C H CCl-l 6 Example 18 4-FG H gCl-l 3 Example 19 Q 4- FC H CCH 6 Example 18 O. t 3-ClC H ECH 2 Example 18 O 4ClC H ECH 3 Yxample l9 3 4-Cil C l i LCH 3 l'xample 19 ll 3-Cll UC H CCl'l 3 Example 19 3 Example 19 4-CH 0C H @CH 6 Example 18 t-CH 0C H &CH

g 3 Example 19 3-CF C H CH2- EXAMPLE Zl Z-Phenacylthio-S-chlorobenzoic Acid A solution of 18.9 g. (0.] mole) of S-chlorothiosalicyclic acid. 15.4 g. (0.] mole) of a-chloroacetophcnone and 8 g. (0.2 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 200 ml. of ethanol containing 45 ml. of water is heated to reflux for 2 hours. After removing one-fourth the alcohol under reduced pressure, the mixture is acidified with hydrochloric acid and the resulting precipitated product filtered, 5.0 g., mp. l54l 56 C. The analytical sample has a melting point of l56l57.5 C.

Anal. Calcd. for C H ChSCl: C. 58.72; H, 3.62. Found: C. 58.59; H, 3.74.

EXAMPLE 22 In a similar manner to the procedure of Example 21, but substituting chloroacetone for chloroacetophenone, the corresponding 2-acetonylthio-5- chlorobenzoic acid is prepared, mp. l39l40 C.

Anal. Calcd. for C,,,H,,O;,SCI: C, 49.08; H, 3.7l. Found: C, 4921; H, 3.80

EXAMPLE 23 acid, 3-(4'-methoxyphenacylthio)-5-bromobenzoic acid, 4-( 3 '-trifluoromethylphenacylthio )-5- hromobenzoic acid, 2-(4'-chlorophenacylthio)-5- bromobenzoic acid, 2-acetonylthio-5-methylbenzoic acid, 2-phenacylthio-5-methylbenzoic acid, 2-( 4 fluorophenacylthio )-3-methylbenzoic acid, 2-( 4 methoxyphenacylthio )-5-methylbenzoic acid, 2-

acetonylthio-S-methoxybenzoic acid, 3-phenacylthio- S-methoxybenzoic acid, 2-(4chlorophenaeylthio)-5- methoxybenzoic acid, 2-(4-methylphenacylthio)-3- methoxybenzoic acid, and 3-( 3'- trifluoromethylphenacylthio)-5-methoxybenzoic acid EXAMPLE 24 3-Phenacylsulfinyl-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid A solution of 2.6 g. (7.5 m moles) of 3-phenacylthio- S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid and 0.75 ml. of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide in ml. of acetic acid is heated on a steam bath for 1 hour, after which the reac tion mixture is cooled and diluted with water to the turbidity point. The crystalline product which forms on standing is filtered, 1.0 g, m.p. l48-l5l C., and finally recrystallized from acetone-isopropyl ether, 850 mg, mp. lS4-l55 C.

Anal. failed. for C,,,H O,SI1,: (I 53.93; 1'.

H, ll I. Found: C, 54.l H. 3 29.

EXAMPLE 25 Z-Phenacylsulfonyl-S-chlorobenzoic Acid In a manner similar to the procedure of Example 24, 1.0 g. (3 m moles) of 2-phenacylthio-5-chlorobenzoic acid and 3 ml. of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide in 40 ml. of acetic acid yielded 800 mg. of the desired sulfone, m.p. -l7l C.

Anal. Calcd. for C,,,H O .,SCl: C. 5318; H, 3.27, Found: C, 53.16; H, 3.32.

EXAMPLE 26 The following sulfoxides and sulfones are prepared,

starting with the requisite chemicals, by repeating the procedure of Examples 24 and 25 respectively:

X 2 21 Position c1 CH3 1 2 cs BOCHZCHZ- 1 2 93 HOCPECl-lg 2 2 cs ca es-cs 1 2 cF CH 2 4 F cu 1 4 r cs -1,

F CH3CH=CHCH2- 2 3 r r H0CH2CH2- 1 3 C1 611 1 2 'c1 CH2=C(CH3)CH2 1 6 c1 CH2=C(CH3)CH2 1 3 Br CH3- 2 3 Br HOCH2CH2- 1 2 Br tidcii cii z 2 ca, CH2=C(CH3)CH2- 1 2 an cu ca=ciicn 2 2 0011 crifcii iiJ- 1 3 oca 'cn =cncii 2 3 0on5 ci =cricii 1 4 OCH OCH

c u cii HgCH J-CH C H CCH CHCCH- Position X 2 n Position 5 3 C1130 CH3 CH2 1 2 C11 c n cu 2 3 C1130 b C1C ll gCH 1 2 CH O 4 CIIC H CCH 2 2 6 EXAMPLE 27 3-Methoxy-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid 2 This product is prepared according to the procedure of Example 5 and comprises contacting 3-hydroxy-5- 2 trifluorometh lbenzoic acid with meth l iodide in Y y methanol containing sodium methoxide as the base, m.p. l3ll35 C. 3

Anal. Calcd. for CQHTOJFH: C. 49.]1; H. 3.20. 2 Found: C. 49.28; H 3.30.

EXAMPLE 28 3 2-Methoxy-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid 2 Starting with 4-chloro-3-cyanobenzotrifluoride and sodium methoxide and following the procedure of Example 4, the above product is prepared, m.p. 2 l05-l06.5 C. Netherlands Application 6,507,7l2 (C.A., 64, l2606g) reports a melting point of 2 l03-l05 C. for this compound.

In a similar manner are prepared 2-methoxy-3-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid and 3-trifluoromethyl-4- methoxybenzoic acid 3 EXAMPLE 29 Groups, each comprising 4 animals, of normal 3 Sprague-Dawley Charles River) male rats weighing from 160 to 220 grams are fed rat chow containing the '0 test compounds for two overnight feeding periods. On

the morning of the third day the animals are anesthe- 2 tized and bled from the abdominal aorta. The total plasma cholesterol is then determined by the method of 2 J. J. Carr and l. J. Drekter reported in Clin. Chem. 2,

353 (I956). Most of the tests are conducted at a concentration in the feed of 0.15 to 0.25 weight per cent 2 5 of the compound under test, but lower levels are employed in some instances. The total quantity of test 2 compound consumed is computed from feed consumption over the two-day period and is tabulated, in milli- 2 grams per kilogram body weight per day, along with the 0 associated per cent cholesterol fall measured:

Dal Do Compound Cholesterol Full i'rig/kg f Z-Methoxy-S-trifluorometh lbcnzoic acid 42 223 2-Bcnzyloxy-S-trifluoromet ylbenzoic acid 4] 256 2-Chloro-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid l9 23l 2-Benzyloxy-S-chlorobcnzoic acid l7 208 3-Bcnzyloxy-S-trifluoromethylbcnzoic acid l8 I64 Daily Dosage mgikg,

- Continued Compound 'Jl Cholestcrol Fall 2-Methoxy-5-chloroben2oic acid 28 3-Methoxyfi-lrifluoromcthylbenzoic acid 48 2-Acctonyloxy-S-chlorobenzoic acid 32 2-( -1- '-Chloroben2yloxy |--chlorobenzoic acid l4 Z-Mcthoxy-4 triiluoromcthylbenzoic acid 39 3-Benzyloxy-5-chlorobcnzoic acid Z-Benzyloxy-5-mcthoxybenzoic acid 17 2( 3 .4 '-Dimethoxyhcnzyloxy )5-chlorobenzoic acid 36 2,5-Dimcthoxybcnzoic acid 20 3-Chloro-5-trifluoromethylbcnzoic acid l3 2-Bromo-S-trifluoromcthylbenzoic acid [5 2,4-Dichlorobcnzoic acid 42 2Bromo-5-chiorobenzoic acid lb 2-Methylthio-S-trifluoromethylbcnzoic acid 27 Z-Methylsulfinyl-5-trifluoromethylbcnzoic acid 14 2AIIyIthio-S-trifluoromethylbcnzoic acid 2Phenacylthio 5-chlorobenzoic acid 3i Z-Phcnacylsull'onyhfi-chlorobenzoic acid 2| 3Phcnacylthio-S-tril'luoromethylbenzoic acid 20 3-Phenacylsulfinyl-S-trifluuromethylbenzoic acid 20 3-Mcthylsulfonyl-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic benzoic acid 22 2-( 2' Hydroxyethylthio I-S-chlorobenzoic acid 29 2-AcctonyIthio-S-chlorobenzoic acid 2! 2-Crotylthio-5-tril'luoromethylbenzoic acid l6 2-Mcthallylthio-5-trifluoromcthylbenzoic acid 25 3-Mcthylthio-5chlorobcnzoic acid 22 3-Fluorobcnzoic acid 0 5 Chloro-2-l 4-chlorophcnylureylcne )bcnzoic acid 32 S-Trifluoromcthyl-2-benzylaminobcnzoic acid I? 5 Chloro-2-( n-propylurcylene )benzoic acid It) 5-Trifluoromcthyl-2-( 3-methylpiperidino)- benzoic acid 27 5-Trifluoromcthyl-2-( 3.5-dimcthylpipcridinolbcnzoic acid I) S-Trifluoromcthyl-Zacetamidobenzoic acid 7 5-Trifluororncthyl-2-bcnzamidobenzoic acid 26 5-Trifluoromethyl-l-diethylaminobenzoic acid 6 In a similar manner, when tested by the above procedure, the following benzoic acids also lower cholesterol levels: 3,5-dil'luor0benzoic acid, 2,5-difluorobenzoic 4U acid, 2-chloro-5-fluorobenzoic acid. 3-fluoro-4- chlorobenzoic acid, 3-fluoro-4-bromobenzoic acid, 2,3-dibromobenzoic acid, Z-bromoS-fluorobenzoic acid, 3,5-dibromobenzoic acid, 3-fluoro-4- methylbenzoic acid, 2-methyl-5-fluorobenzoic acid,

EXAMPLE 30 A dry solid pharmaceutical composition is prepared by combining the following materials in the indicated weight proportions:

lhcnq lox -S-trilluoromcthylhcnzoic ucitl 5U calcium carbonate 2U 3U polyethylene glycol. average molecular weight 4000 The dry mixture is thoroughly agitated to obtain a completely uniform blend. Soft elastic and hard gelatin capsules containing this composition are then prepared. employing sufficient material to provide each capsule with I mg. of active ingredient.

EXAMPLE 3i A dry solid pharmaceutical composition is prepared by blending the following materials together in the specified weight proportions:

3-methoxy-S-lrifluoromethylbenzoic acid 50 sodium citrate 25 alginic acid 10 polyvinylpyrrolidone l0 magnesium stearate 5 After the dried composition is thoroughly blended, tablets are punched from the mixture, each tablet being of such size as to contain mg. of the active ingredient. Tablets are also prepared containing, respectively, 5, l0, 25 and 50 mg. of the active ingredient, by employing the appropriate proportions of 3-methoxy-5- triiluoromethylbenzoic acid and excipient blend in each case.

EXAMPLE 32 2-Benzyloxy-5-trifluoromethylbenzoic Acid Sodium Salt To a solution of 400 mg. (0.01 mole) of sodium hydroxide in 30 ml. of water is added, in portions and with stirring, 2.96 g. (00] mole) of Z-benzyl-oxy-S-trifluoromethylbenzoic acid. The slightly hazy solution is and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof wherein X is selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl and trifluoromethyl and R is selected from the group consisting of fluorine,

chlorine, bromine and methyl. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein X is trifluoromethyl and R is chlorine.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said compound is of the formula: 

1. A METHOD FOR REDUCING BLOOD LIPID LEVELS WHICH COMPRISES ADMINISTERING TO A HYPERLIPEMIC MAMMAL A HYPOLIPEMIC EFFECTIVE AMOUNT OF A COMPOUND SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF THOSE OF THE FORMULA
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein X is trifluoromethyl and R3 is chlorine.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said compound is of the formula: 